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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release #05-74aTuesday October 18, 2005

Traffic Advisory: Queensboro Bridge Upper Roadway Remains Closed

The New York City Department of Transportation today announced that the Queensboro Bridge’s upper roadway is closed until further notice due to a fire on the bridge. The lower roadway’s three outbound lanes have been reopened and DOT anticipates that the remaining two inbound lanes on the lower roadway will reopen by 6:00 pm. Given the heavy volumes at the Queens Midtown Tunnel ( a tolled facility ) and expected on the Queensboro Bridge’s lower level, motorists, where possible should seek alternative routes.

Alternative Routes for Outbound Traffic from Manhattan

Queens-bound traffic is advised to use the Triborough Bridge (a tolled facility) or, in lower Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Bridge or Brooklyn Bridge where motorists can connect to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE) to travel to Queens.

Alternative Routes for Inbound Traffic from Queens

Motorists traveling inbound via the Long Island Expressway (LIE) should continue on the LIE and enter Manhattan using the Queens Midtown Tunnel.

Motorists traveling inbound via the Grand Central Parkway are advised to use the Triborough Bridge to enter Manhattan.

After 6:00 pm, inbound traffic on both Queens Boulevard and Northern Boulevard is expected to be able to access the lower level of the Queensboro Bridge.

Alternatively, motorists traveling inbound from Queens can take the BQE to the lower Manhattan crossings.